Rabbit Resistant Plants

Some information on rabbits

Rabbits are a common garden pest, particularly in rural areas. They have been known to inflict sunstantial damage to trees, shrubs and perennials, with the tell-tale signs of rabbit droppings and stripped bark around the bases of woody trees. They generally do most of their feeding under cover of darkness, however persistant bunnies can appear during the day too!

Repelling and deterring rabbits

Liquid repellents can provide some respite when applied around susceptible plants and of course keeping a dog as a pet can be particularly successful as a deterrant. A wire fence surrounding the area can also be used – mesh size must be maximum 1inch (2.5cm) and the barrier must be at least 3ft (0.9m) high to prevent access.

Planting rabbit resistant plants

The easiest approach is to choose rabbit resistant plants for your garden – a list of which is provided below.

The following TREES are relatively resistant to being eaten by rabbits:

Alnus Arbutus Betula

Ilex Laburnum

Pinus nigra Taxus

The following SHRUBS are relatively resistant to being eaten by rabbits:

Arbutus Aucuba Berberis Buddlejah Buxus Ceanothus Choisya ternata Clematis Cornus Cotoneaster – but not simondsii Daphne Deutzia Elaeagnus Fatsia Fuchsia megallanica

Gaultheria Hippophae rhaminoides Hidrangea Hypericum Ilex Kalmia Laurel Lonicera Olearia haastii Pernettya mucronata Philadelphus Ligustrum (Privet) Rhododendron/Azalea Rhus Ribes

Roses – Prickly Species Rosemarinus Ruscus Sambucus Skimmia japonica types Spiraea types Symphoricarpus Syringa Taxus Ulex Viburnum opulus and tinus types Vinca Yucca

The following PERENNIALS are relatively resistant to being eaten by rabbits:

Acanthus Aconitum Anemone Aquilegia Astilbe Bergenia Cortaderia

Epimedium Eryngium Euphorbia Geranium Helleborus orientalis Hemerocallis Kniphofia

Polygonatum (Persicaria) Salvia superba Saxifraga umbrosa Sedum spectabilis

Please note: these are not all guaranteed to deter rabbits or to remain entirely damage free, but are the most rabbit resistant plants we know of.

To see a full list of all our handy fact sheets click here